'69 Yenko Nova questions

[sYc]

I first met Jim Mattison several years ago at the US Camaro Nats in Pigeon Forge, Tn. We visited for several hours, mainly about Yenkos/COPOS. Following this visit, I cantacted MCR magazine concerning some of the information Jim told me. It was then that MCR did their article with Jim on the COPO cars. Here are a few things that he told me. That 1969 COPO cars would not have been heater delete, as goverment (US only ?) mandates required all cars to have a windshield defroster. That there were a few, around 50, 1968 Camaros that were equiped with a factory 427. He mentioned the 1968 Yenko Camaro at the show (Kory Smith's) as being one of these cars. But Brian Henderson, who restored Kory's car, has information that leads to a different conclusion. The most interesting thing that Jim and I talked about was the number of 1969 Yenko Camaros. Jim feels that there were more then 198 but less then 500 of the cars built. Hopefully some day "original" paperwork will surface that will answer some/or all of these and other COPO questions. Tom

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Sounds like the typical 'Tinnell' restoration, pretty paint but....I guess there wasn't much info to rely on back then. Tinnell says in one article that "the car still had it's original paint and stripes" (?) "Rust was not a problem, but the wheel wells were cut out for slicks". Were there no stripes on the hood when found? They were not put on after the restoration. This car also had power steering according to the article. This is the only one with p/s that I have heard of, are there more? I have always wondered about the custom seat covers, Yenko Deuce door panel stickers, rallyes, fender antenna, headlight bezels ect. on this car. Did you change any of these things?

I am sure Reggie Jackson is pretty happy with it now though, it makes a good partner for his '73 Nickey Nova.

Does anyone know where this car was originally out of? Did Vince release the dealership on record? What part of Ohio? I know that there were several Ohio dealers in the Yenko Network.

Thanks for the background info,
Marlin

[micky69396]

Everything you say was wrong was. I am not saying it was him (Dave). Everyone that has bought a car out of that collection has needed the same stuff. I think that is they way Carl wanted his stuff? The bottom of the car needed some rust repair. All driveline components were wrong except rear. Interior as you said. We added the hood stipes as we felt they should have been there. Replaced a fender as I dont belive in patchwork. Put the SS wheels on it. Rubber floor mat. Got rid of all the silver cad plating. ETC, ETC, ETC. Still needs some interior, but the duece panels are gone. We put the car in Floys museum and Reggie made a big offer on it so it sold when Dick was selling some cars.

[copo69]

Tom, you're right, no US COPO cars could have original heater delete. As of Jan. 1, l968 federal law dictated all cars sold in US must have front defrosters (as thus heater would be required). I don't know about Canadian cars, though. I know one was circulating a few years ago claiming to be original heater delete car but never saw any documentation. Some Camaros were assembled in the Phillipines so probably some heater deletes there but probably all 6 cyls. When we restored my Camaro we installed the heater delete plates (I think it looks neat) but have never claimed them to be original. I always thought Rusty Symmes' ZL1 looked neat with them. Always thought it was weird it was in the '69 assembly manual and not listed as export only though.

Marlin, the Rally green Nova was near Granville, Ohio ( near National Trail Raceway) out in the country. I found it in a car trader type publication. Now bear in mind this was 17 yrs. ago and memories fade but we found the car setting with a bunch of other vehicles, buses, old hulks of cars, and junk at a farm out in the country. I don't think the car had a hood on it and don't remember seeing it although I remember asking the guy if he had the hood. Stripes were still on the quarters and doors but I believe fenders were primed. It had no interior, just 2 ragged 70ish Camaro seats bolted in and a big Competition Plus poked through the floor. Big block was a 512 casting but a '66 date as I remember and had open headers. It had typical rot in the quarters but I think the trunk looked ok. I remember the guy wanted to take me a ride with him... said "it hit a good lick" burt I declined. It was your typical old worn out muscle car going to hell. Price was $5,500. and that was the price as the guy wouldn't barter. Carl later told me that the guy was tough and that's what he had to pay for the car. Carl always had stuff done to his specs according to Dave, especially using white cad. and then doing some phantom cars. I got the vin and called Vince Emme to check it and thats when he told me the story about it being the first SC Nova, Tom. That's about all I remember.

[COPO]

This has been a fascinating topic. I really enjoy the "old" stories of found treasure before the prices got outrageous. What does a restored '69 Yenko Nova go for these days? Noticed Randy Miller had a set of '69 Yenko Camaro, Chevelle and Nova for sale.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Thanks for the extra background info. Granville is just east of Columbus, so assuming that it came from Columbus there would be two possible dealers. Hugh White Chev, Columbus, and Konners Chev, Columbus. It is possible that it came from Glockner Chev, Portsmouth, OH. Other possibles would be Marve Minneman, Youngstown; Cenral Chev, Cleveland; Joseph Chev, Cincinnati; Luby Chev, Cleveland; Central Motor Co, Hamilton; White Allen Chev, Dayton; and White Chev, Lima.

I have heard a similar story from some car guys in the Columbus area about a dark green '69 Yenko Nova in some junk yard. Maybe this is one and the same car.
Marlin

[bkhpah]

Heater delete was available in Canada without question as we know of a 69 375 Nova with all paper, and has no radio or heater. As far as 68 COPO camaro's are concerned, I can say without hesitation that the 68 Yenko that we restored was a 396/375 car before the Yenko transplant.. We had interviewed the first and second owner. The first owners were brothers about 17 and 19 years old from the next town over Bentleyville Pa (home of the old Yenko Chevrolet). The brothers picked the car out from the showroom floor and had the conversion done to there specs, including Atlas wheels and headers. They would make a daily trip to see the progress on their new Camaro. They recalled the engine transplant very well. Why would Yenko remove the engine if it were a 427 to start with? This car was one of the last cars built at Norwood in 1968 with a last week of July assembly date. I still think that all the cars were 396 to start out with and were received with the COPO suspension and 140 speedo option 9737. I have heard that Yenko received @ 72 cars. With only 64 converted, that leaves a few 396 cars sold with 9737. I have also heard of a few non-converted cars with the 140 speedo etc, in the Pittsburgh area. Also we have a MV code 68 396/375 with a Camaro VIN. What are some other ideas on the MV code motors.